Reviews

Аббатство Теней by Sebastien de Castell

dromwald's review against another edition

5.0

There isn't much more I can say about this series that I haven't said already. I love it and almost feel bereft that I've finished this latest instalment although at least I know I have the next one to look forward to. Kellen and his rag tag collection of allies remain both fascinating and endearing to me which is apt since this series can alternately make me laugh out loud (the dialogue between Kellen and Reichis is often hilarious) or bring a tear to my eye (no spoilers but you'd have to have a cold heart not to be touched by the closing pages of this book). Sebastien de Castell really manages to breathe fresh life into this series to keep you wanting more and he certainly has this reader hook, line and sinker.

areemts1130's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

labunnywtf's review against another edition

4.0

I call myself a spellslinger, but at heart I guess I'm just a con artist. Like my father once said, everything is tricks with me. The problem with tricks, though, is that sometimes the most devastating trick is the one that's been played on you.

I have yet to have a "favorite" in this series so far. They each bring something new and unique to Kellen's story, and while the second book didn't fill me with as much love as the other 3, they are all equally enjoyable.

This one, however, wrung a SHIT TON of unexpected emotion out of me, for which I am not appreciative.

At first, I wasn't terribly excited about the story line. Kellen, the Shadow Black Wannargosi Outlaw Spellslinger, has traveled over a vast desert (the Golden Passage) in pursuit of a mysterious abbey that may have the secrets to the cure of the Shadow Black. He's willing to risk life, limb, and eyeballs to get there.

But once he finds out what the real story is behind the tale, there was something about it that just put me off. I can't put my finger behind it, other than a) it was a whole bunch of new fantasy name'd people for me to remember and tell apart, and b) Kellen has horrible luck when it comes to judging people's character.

That being said, once the story really got its feet under it, I was genuinely into it, despite how long it took me to finish. The characters Kellen meets in this one are some of my favorite in the series so far. See above re: why you make me cry, de Castell?

Ready to jump on book 5 soon.

One last thing. It was in this book that I realized that these ridiculously over explained shapes Kellen is constantly making with his hands?

Are finger guns.

Because Outlaw. OMG.

nightingale_reading's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

joe16210's review against another edition

4.0

Kellen has the fourth book mostly for himself as Ferius Parfax and Reichis are aside most of the time and in my eyes this is what is the worst about the book and makes it one of weekest ones in the series so far. But still, we learn some news about the black shadow as we headed to the new area of Ebony Abbey. I am really interested what is Sebastien de Castell keeping for us for the last two books.

darnays's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

amybraunauthor's review against another edition

5.0

This series just keeps getting better and better! The fourth book in the SPELLSLINGER series is full of complex plots, character driven scenes, choices, and action.

Kellen continues looking for answers about how to remove his shadowblack curse. After being separated from one of his truest friends, he discovers a hidden Abbey that will help him understand more of what he is, at a cost.

I really liked the plot of this instalment. It was neat to see the different aspects of the shadowblack and how Kellen responded and grew to them. They introduction of new characters and old enemies made for a very engaging read.

As ever, the best scenes were when Kellen was forced to face his family. There were some amazing moments that serve to prove de Castell’s skill as a writer. I loved how realistic the characters were, and how no one was entirely good or entirely evil.

The plot was filled with action and imagination. There were moments of tension and lots of drama. The overarching plot line moved slowly, with de Castell focusing on the individual adventure. I appreciated that, since it made the world seem even bigger than before.

This continues to be a strong and frankly underrated series that I think all fans of high fantasy will love. Give it a try!

_tea_'s review against another edition

5.0

4.5 stars

pageboi31's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

My first Spellslinger book of 2024! For me, Soulbinder sits around where Charmcaster is (potentially a fraction lower, I'm not sure), being rated about equally but for different reasons from each other. While Charmcaster was more adventurous and fun, Soulbinder dealt a lot more with build up characters, both in terms of growth and personal relationships.

This book, more so than any of the others so far in the series (other than book 1 to a degree), had the most Kellen in it. After he and Reichis leave alone in the last book looking for a cure, we get nearly zero Ferius Parfax

but not completely zero! Those two letters at the end of the book were so sweet and heart warming! I loved reading throughout the book and having Ferius' mantra and lessons play through Kellen's head, so hearing Ferius say the same thing about Kellen in her's felt like they had such an impact on both of each other. There better be more Ferius in the last two books though 😤.

and truthfully get very little Reichis as well.

I can't believe that I thought Reichis was dead. I knew I my head that him dying off screen was suspect, but the genuine grief and pain Kellen was feeling (and I looked at the next two covers and there wasn't a Reichis on his shoulder 👀) had me in the dumps...I love that squirrel cat.

The Ebony Abbey was cool, and the new set of characters there was fun (obviously Butelios was my favorite).Also, Kellen finally got to use his shadow black powers, which is cool! On another note, the amount of carnage and death around the final skirmish in the book was...a lot. I wanted to say shocking, but this book feels heavier than most in the series, perhaps because Ferius isn't here? The burden Kellen had to endure in this book was crazy...he ce tainly has matured quite a bit since the series began. Hopefully next book he gets a break 🥺

Also, Kellen and Reichis matching is amazing (thank God their bond is back...rip Diadera 🥲)

s3lece's review against another edition

adventurous emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0